It’s a virtual knockout clash between Sri Lanka and New Zealand to get into the last four. The two teams clashing for such a tie are more or less evenly matched although Sri Lanka holds the edge because of their variation in bowling. Lanka must be ruing their opportunity of not having sealed their place already due to their loss against England when ‘Hales-storm’ took them by surprise.
The pitch at Chittagong is a bit different from that of Mirpur. The ball is coming on to the bat far better than Mirpur and batters are able to play through the line, which is why we are seeing big scores been piled on and chased down in most of the games.
This is why I feel that even though SL may be slight ahead, NZ in these conditions will also fancy their chances. The dew factor is very much prevalent in Chittagong too and is the reason why teams winning the toss are deciding to bat second and scores in the region of 180-190 are not looking safe enough. I’m sure whichever team wins the toss in this game will opt to chase rather than setting a target.
New Zealand has played organised cricket till now though they must consider themselves lucky enough to have got past England in the rain-effected match, where chasing 170 would have been a task cut out for them. Their batting consists of players who have the reputation of being good T-20 batters. On song McCulum, Ross Taylor, Cory Anderson can take a game away from the opponent single-handedly. The opening duo of Guptil and Kane Williamson is a good match, where Guptil is the grafter and Wiliamson the aggressor.
A good start from the pair can set the pace for the middle-order for a big target. New Zealand bowling lacks pace and also the spin department doesn’t have such depth to put the opponent under the pump. This is where Sri Lanka holds the edge. Kulusekhara, Malinga, Mendis, Herath, Senanayake, Mathews, Thisera Perera, there is indeed variation in that line-up.
The Sri Lankan batting though is very much dependent on Mahela and Sangakara and they will surely miss out on skipper Chandimal, who is forced to sit out this match for slow-over rate factor. That will be a big hole in the Sri Lankan middle-order. Dilshan is still not his fluent self and he along with the likes of Kushal Perera, Mathews, Thisera Perera will need to rally around the big two for the Sri Lankan batting to be formidable enough. If Sri Lankan batting stands-up the Asian champions will surely stand a notch ahead of the opponents.
The other game of the group between England and Holland will be of sheer academic interest. Whatever little impetus, will be there for Holland who will like to repeat their form of few years ago when they beat England in the opening game of that T-20 world cup.
